Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur
This city, even known as Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu valley which falls in Bhaktapur district of Bagmati zone. It is the third largest city in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, as a district is the smallest district of Nepal having total land area of 119sq.Km. It was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla kingdom until the second half of the 15th century. Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its cultural abundance backed by temples, wood, metal and stone related arts and artifacts.

What are the major attractions in Bhaktapur?
Three Squares - Darbar Square, Taumadhi Square, and Dattatreya Square.
Popular Places - Changu Narayan (World Heritage Site), Surya Vinayak, Kamal Vinayak, Siddha Pokhari, Chonga Ganesh etc.
Devines Miracolus Vision - Largest Shiva lingum, Golden Spout and Gate, Magnificent peacock windows, around 40 temples etc.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square
It is the main square of Bhaktapur which houses the 55 windowed Palace, Malla King, Yakshya Malla’s construction. This square was pillared by Jitamitra Malla and royalty were housed here up to 1769. It is now changed into a National gallery. Close to the Golden Gate of this square lies Mulchowk court, this shelters to Taleju temple. This temple dedicates to the Goddess Taleju which laps the shrines of both Kumari and Taleju Bhawani. Hindus are restricted inside the temple and photographs of living Goddess, Kumari are strictly forbidden to take.

The square is surrounded by spectacular architecture which vivid the craftsmanship of Newari artists gushed throughout the centuries. The Palace of Royals was originally located at Dattaraya square which later was shifted in yard of Durbar square. The earthquake, no way, left this square beyond damage. In 1934, the unseen flow of earthquake had somehow rubble the square. This square is spacious comparatively than the squares of Kathmandu and Patan.

Taumadi Square
Nyatapola Temple, the five storied edifice, Nepal’s tallest pagoda built circa 1702 by Malla King, Bhupatindra Malla guards this square. The struts, doors, windows, tympanums, all parts of the temple are embellished with carved images of different divines which approve the abundance of Newari craftsmanship. This temple dedicates to the Goddess Siddhi Laxmi, the Hindu Goddess of prosperity, the manifestation of female force and creativity.

Next to the Nyatapol temple is the temple of Bhairavnath built in rectangular shape. This temple contains the gilded bust of Bhairav, the ferocious weird manifestation of Lord Shiva. The 3 storied pagoda was demolished by the earthquake of 1934 which later on renovated in 1955AD. The enclosed complex facing the Nyatapola Temple is dedicated to Tilmadhav Narayan, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, one of the trinity of Hindu Gods.

Pottery square
Few steps ahead to the precinct of Tilmadhav Narayan, to the southwest, lies this well counted square. In this square the visitors can eye the city’s well known potters shaping the different clay pots in different sizes. The major monumental highlight of this square is a temple of Jeth Ganesh, which dates back to 14th century Temples stood in Taumadi square; Nyatapola, Bhairav Temple, Teel Mahadev, Narayan Temple and many others.

Dattatreya Square
This square is Bhaktapur’s third shining jewel. This area houses a great number of historic monuments including many astounding residential mansions and temples. The Dattreya Temple is the center of attraction in this square. This temple was constructed by the Malla king, Yakshya Malla. The 3 storied temple is believed to have been built with the stem of a single tree. The Wane Layaku complex in the south- western corner of Dattreya temple is noted for Bhaktapur’s second Taleju shrine.

The peacock window which is also called as “Mona Lisa of Nepal” is a rare masterpiece in wood. Dating back to the early 15th century the unique latticed window has an intricately carved peacock in its center. The window adorns the Pujari Math which, with rows of exquisitely carved windows and doors, is equally alluring. The building presently houses the Woodcarving Museum. The museum has a rich collection of unique pieces in wood. The Brass & Bronze Museum, lapped in the historic Chikanpha Math, is the next focus of the Square. It has a wide collection of bronze and brass wares including the ritual jars, utensils, water vessels, pots, spittoons and similar other household items. Near the Dattatreya Square is the Wakupati Narayan Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the two-storied structure is a unique specimen of pagoda architecture. Next to it is Bhaktapur’s second Pottery Square .Besides Bhaktapur's three well-acclaimed Squares, there are many other spots within the expanse where visitors can experience a lot. The recently-restored Ta-Pukhu (Siddha Pokhari) , Ancha-Pukhu , Khancha-Pukhu , Barahi Temple , Lokeswor Mahavihar , Nava Durga Temple , the Terra-cotta Windows at Tuchhimala and Nepal's largest Shiva Lingum at Hanumanghat are some of Bhaktapur's monumental glories.

Golden Gate and 55 windowed Palace
This magnificent palace was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in 1427AD. Later, it was remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla during his regime in 1754. Among the brick walls with their picturesque setting and scriptural design is a balcony with 55 windows considered to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarving. The entrance of this palace is well known as Golden Gate, Sunko Dhoka in Nepali. A Garuda tops the gate and is shown disposing of a number of serpents. The four headed and 16 armed figure of the goddess Taleju Bhawani is below the Garuda.

Bhairavnath Temple
At initial this temple was limited in a single storey, but later in 1718AD King Bhupatindra Malla lifted it up to 3 storeys. This temple is the exposition of artistic grandeur which dedicates to the Lord Bhairav, the God of terror.

Nava Durga Temple
This temple is the manifestation of Goddess Durga in 9 different forms. It is also the amalgamation of nine protective mothers Goddess of the city, Bhaktapur. This temple is well counted for its elaborately carved windows and doors. Devotees seem flocking here during Dashain days (October), the greatest Hindu festival in Nepal.

Wakupati Narayan Temple
This temple is settled at a short distance on the eastern side of Dattatreya square. It is enclosed within a stone paved courtyard. This two storied Pagoda dedicates to the Lord Vishnu. One can see four Garudas, the bird vehicle of Lord Vishnu, at a single place in a row.

Changunarayan Temple
It is the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley. This temple was listed in the World Cultural Heritage monument list in 1979 by UNESCO. This temple is located of about 1700m elevation from sea level which is 4 Km. North from Bhaktapur and 22 Km. east from Kathmandu. The authentic inscription in the precinct of this temple dates back to 464 AD which was assembled by Lichhavi King Manadev. This temple dedicates to the Lord Vishnu, the Hindu God.

Surya Binayak
This shrine of Lord Ganesh, the God of well commences and well completion of each task is located in the walking distance of about 2 Km. to the south of Bhaktapur city. It is placed in a sylvan setting to absorb the first rays of rising Sun. The precinct of Surya Binayak is also a good setting for picnic lovers which are flanked by many more luring landscapes.